Learn Why It’s So Important For Your Dog To Learn To Socialize
Dogs are descended from wolves and, although they have evolved a lot, they still maintain many of their habits, including living in a group. It is very important, then, that a dog learns to socialize with others of its kind. This will allow him to live better and even be more obedient.
Why is it important for a dog to learn to socialize?
Being in contact with others is essential for life, especially for mammals. In the case of dogs, interacting with their peers allows them to learn new things, develop empathy and even be more balanced.
This process – which starts from birth, with your brothers and mother – must be maintained throughout your life. But it is very important that the dog learns to socialize while he is still a puppy.
In this way, he will get along well with other animals and avoid behavioral problems, such as aggression on public roads.
If socialization is adequate, the animal will not consider other dogs as a danger or a threat. So don’t bite or growl at them.
This does not mean that he will become a submissive animal, but rather that he will not start fights needlessly.
Furthermore, a socialized dog that lives in a city will not be concerned about other things around him, such as traffic, the passage of many people around him, etc.
Basically, if you don’t socialize your dog, in the future you will have a pet that tries to bite for no apparent reason.
This will become a problem when there are visitors in the house or it cannot be taken to a park where there are other animals.
It’s also likely that you won’t be able to take him to the vet’s appointment, take him off a leash walk, and won’t even be able to adopt a new pet. Everything will be an inconvenience with him!
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How to succeed in this endeavor?
The critical stage of socialization begins when the animal is born and goes through its fourth month of life. If he gets home approximately 45 days after weaning, you still have several weeks to implement various methods.
Only when the dog is separated from its biological family should the owner begin the socialization process.
It’s true that at first veterinarians say he shouldn’t go outside to avoid health problems. But once you have the professional’s permission, don’t waste a single day. Some recommendations:
- Let him know that you are the one who gives the orders
- He needs to feel safe by your side
- Organize small meetings with other dogs and cats
- Take him to see other places (the park, the beach…)
- Encourage positive experiences (eg, avoid encounters with an aggressive dog that could traumatize you)
- Get to know him well and pay attention to his body language
- Give him good energy, humor and happiness (dogs can identify emotions)
- Seek help with a trainer if you don’t see results on your rides.
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How to make the dog learn to socialize when he is an adult?
If you didn’t do this when the animal was small, or if you adopted it as an adult, don’t think it’s impossible to socialize it. It may take longer, but many positive changes can be made to the animal.
A good idea to start with is to “introduce” other dogs that are nice and welcome strangers . If your pet feels scared, barks, or hides behind you, respect your emotions and try a new approach another day.
Whenever you take him to the park, keep him on a leash and don’t leave him alone.
It is very important that a dog learns to socialize from the first moment he comes home, or when we notice he has aggressive or fearful behavior. It’s for your pet’s sake!
